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Updated Covid-19 Information & Season Planning

Published Tue 12 May 2020

KA would like to take this opportunity to thank the kiting community nationwide; industry representatives, state associations and each and every one of our members for being such a great community. You have followed national and state-based guidelines, led by example and demonstrated a great deal of empathy and respect to the larger Australian population throughout this Covid-19 pandemic. Your support has been amazing, and you should all be commended for your efforts in limiting the spread of the virus.

Although life is not back to normal just yet Australia is well and truly on track to reducing the risk of Covid-19, which is an amazing sign that I think we are all very much thankful for. 

Restrictions are being lifted across the country as we speak and while restrictions are continually changing and differ from State to State, it is encouraging to see many aspects of life beginning to return to normal. 

KA continues to be guided by the position of the national and state based governments and with last week's federal government releasing of its 3 Step Framework for a Covid Free Australia and the roadmap for returning to sport released on Friday 1st of May through Sport Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport, KA feel we are on track to resuming all kiting activities in the foreseeable future. 

Further, following the Victorian Governments lifting of restrictions on recreational boating on Tuesday 12th May 20, the last state to do, KA felt it timely to release a statement as we all return to the water to participate in the sport we love.  While we are now all free to kite, we still encourage you all to stay up to date with your state and council based restrictions as these restrictions are still changing daily. 

 

Safe Kiting Guidelines

While we are all eager to get back on the water it is worth noting that we should all still remember to do so safely and follow a few simple guidelines to help keep ourselves Covid and injury free while out on the water. As such KA recommend kiters following the guidelines outlined below for the immediate future:

  • Stay up to date on your local council, state and federal government health and safety recommendations and laws in relation to Covid-19, including beach closures.
  • Undertake a thorough risk assessment each session assessing the conditions, locations and your ability.
  • Refrain from going out in stormy, frontal or unpredictable conditions
  • Play it safe and kite within your ability.
  • Maintain physical distancing (1.5m distance from another person, 4m2 per person and 10 person limits on gatherings)
  • Refrain from carpooling and sharing equipment
  • Ensure you inspect your equipment each session making sure it is safe to use.

 

20/21 Season Planning

During this time Kiteboarding Australia has begun planning for the upcoming kiteboarding season, anticipating kiteboarding activities and events will be back to normal come September 2020. We are putting measures in place to ensure that we can kickstart the Season at the annual Season Launch Kiteboarding Expo’s, in addition to planning for the National Freestyle and Waves series events across Australia.

At this point in time we are planning to run the Kiteboarding Expo’s through September, however we will be guided by government restrictions on public gatherings and have contingencies in place if the events are not permitted by September.

As always, the safety and wellbeing of our members is KA’s number one priority and by following a few simple guidelines, exposure to COVID-19 will be reduced and all kiting activities (including events and gatherings) can resume. 

For more information regarding State, Federal and Maritime Government recommendations and restrictions concerning this pandemic please visit the following useful links. 

 

Latest Maritime Updates:

ACT: No specific maritime guidance- refer to ACT govt advice
NSW: NSW Government
Transport for NSW Maritime update 2/4/20
QLD: Maritime Safety Queensland
For the latest Maritime Safety Queensland statements please click here
SA: No specific maritime guidance - refer to SA govt advice
TAS: Maritime and Safety Tasmania
VIC: Maritime Safety Victoria
WA: WA Department of Transport
WA Department of Transport COVID-19 FAQs
NT: Refer to below graphic and NT govt advice